Feeding apparatus



Oct. 26, 1937.

L. N. NADEAU 2,097,381

FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jime 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 loads N Nadeau Oct. 26, 1937. L, NADEAU 2,097,381

FEEDING APPARATUS Filed June 13, 19 56 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a feeding apparatus designed primarily for the feeding of fuel to furnace stokers, but it is to be understood that an apparatus, in accordance with this invention is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to including means for regulating the intake or feed of the fuel thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, an apparatus of the class referred to including an inclined fuel conducting trough for the passage of the upper stretch of an endless inclined means for conveying the fuel at an upward inclination to a point of discharge and an adjustable means associated with the lower end of the trough for regulating the intake or feed of the fuel to the lower end of the said conveying means.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, du- 25 rable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use,

readily adjusted, expeditiously repaired when occasion requires, readily assembled when installed relative to a fuel supply and to a stoker, and comparatively inexpensive to build.

30 With the foregoing and other objects which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and are as illustrated in the accom- 35 panying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

40 In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof,

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively sections on lines 3-3 and 4, Figure 1, and

Figures 5 and 6 are respectively sections on lines 55 and 8-6, Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, i denotes a. hopper into which the fuel is discharged by the apparatus to be referred to. Leading from the hopper l to a furnace, not shown, is a stoker device 2. A fuel bin is indicated at 3 and has its bottom formed with a sump 4. The front of the 55 bin has an opening 5 for the extension of the apparatus into the bin and into the sump. The fuel is indicated at 6.

The apparatus includes an upper elongated support I of the desired length, width and thickness which inclines downwardly from its follower to its leading end. In transverse cross section the support is of rectangular contour. The support preferably is a wooden plank, but it is to be understood it may be of metallic material. Arranged below the leading portion of support I 10 is a horizontally disposed lower support 8 which has its leading end 9 abutting the lower face of support l in close proximity to the leading end of the latter. When the apparatus is in use, the support 8 has its leading portion arranged over 5 the sump 4 and its follower portion seated on the bottom of the bin outwardly adjacent the sump. That portion of support 8 which is arranged over the sump is bifurcated for a purpose to be referred to. Secured to each side edge of the lead ing portion of support I and throughout each side edge of the support 8 is a vertically disposed side cheek Ill having its leading portion H depending from and the lower end of its follower portion ll flush with the bottom of support 8. The leading portions i l of the side cheeks,when the apparatus is in use, depend into the sump 4. The rear ends of the cheeks iii are connected together by a combined brace and supporting member l2 which inclines downwardly in a forward direction. The base wall E3 of the furcation in the leading portion of support 8 is inclined and the inclination corresponds to that of the upper face of member [2. 1

Mounted on member I2 and the said base wall I3 is a lower trough M which inclines downwardly from its follower to its leading end. The lower end of trough i4 is flush with the bottom of the said base wall 13. The bottom l5 of the trough I4, at the upper terminal portion of the latter is inclined to increase the depth of the intake end of said trough. The upper end of the latter is arranged forwardly of the upper end of support I. The latter near its upper end has securedthereto and depending therefrom, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly extending straps [6 which are anchored to the sides of trough I4. Suitably connected at its upper portion to one side of support 1, forwardly of the straps I6 is standard l1 carrying a table or stand [8 upon which is fixedly secured a motor 19.

Secured upon the upper face of and of a length to extend from the upper and lower ends of the support I is a fuel conducting trough 20 having a discharge opening 2| in the upper portion of its bottom 22. Arranged at the upper or follower end portion of the trough is a depending chute 23 which conducts the fuel discharged from trough 20 into the hopper I. The chute includes a flared vertically disposed lower portion 24 inwardly flanged at the top, as at 24 and an inset forwardly extending downwardly inclined bifurcated upper portion 25 having its sides abutting the sides of trough 24. The rear end part 26 of the said portion 25 abuts and closes the upper end of trough 20. The leading end terminal portions of the top edges of the trough 20 are inclined, as at 27 for reducing the depth of such trough at its lower end. The inwardly flanged top 24 of portion24 seats on support I. The upper end of trough [4 extends into the portion 24 of chute 23.

Secured to the bottom of and extended from the upper end of support I is a pair of bearing brackets 27 having journaled therein a conveyor operating shaft 28 which is also mounted in the said upper portion 25 of chute 23 and extends from one side of the latter. Fixed to the extended portion of shaft 28 is a large gear wheel 29. Fixed to and bodily rotating with shaft 28 is sprocket pinion 30 which is arranged in the leading part of the opening 2|.

The support 1 has secured thereto a pair of aligned depending hanger bearings 3| opposing the sides of the trough l4. Journaled in the bearings 3| is a shaft 32 which extends through the sides of trough [4. One end of shaft 32 has fixed thereto a large pulley 33 having its edge 34 grooved. The pulley 33 is operated by an endless transmission belt 35 travelling in the grooved edge thereof and driven from the motor IS. The shaft 32 has fixed thereto a pinion 36 which meshes with and drives the gear wheel 29.

Travelling through the troughs I4, 26 is an inclined endless chain type conveyor 31 of any suitable form. The conveyor includes an upper stretch 38 travelling upwardly in trough 2D to feed the fuel and a lower stretch 39 travelling downwardly in the chute l4. The stretches 38, 39 travel upon the bottoms of the troughs 20, I 4 respectively. The stretch 38 travels around the sprocket 35, through opening 2| and is operated from sprocket 30. The stretches 38, 39 are extended from the leading ends of the troughs I4, 20. The stretch 39 travels through the bifurcated lower end of support 8 and around a roller 40 on a shaft 40 which is carried by brackets 4| anchored to supports 1, 8 and extended from the leading-end of support 7.

Slidably mounted on the top edges of trough 20 for a portion of their length is an inclined adjustable combined trough closure and feed regulating element 42 consisting of an elongated plate 43 having each of its side edges formed with a. depending flange 44 opposing a side edge of such trough. The leading end portion of element 42 coacts with the inclined edge portions 21 of trough 20 for controlling the sin of the intake for the fuel at the lower end of trough 20 thereby providing for regulating the feed of the fuel. The flanges 44 are to snugly engage the upper ends of the sides of trough 20.

The element 42 is adjusted and retained in adjusted position by an adjusting device 44 carried by the support I and the element 42 The device 44 consists of a standard 45 anchored at its lower end to one side edge of support i. The upper end of the standard 45 is formed with an inwardly extending bearing. sleeve 46 arranged over the element 42. The latter has secured upon its upper face, at its longitudinal median a toothed rack 41 extending lengthwise thereof. Journaled in and extending inwardly from the sleeve 46 is a rotatable shaft 48 pro vided with a pinion 49 coacting with rack 41 for shifting element 42 towards and from the leading end of trough 2!}. The shaft 48 at its outer end carries a crank handle 56 and intermediate its ends a collar 5| which abuts the inner end of the sleeve 46.

The element 42 acts to confine dust in trough 20. It is to be understood that a cover may be used for the upper portion of trough 29 to also confine dust.

Preferably, the conveyor will be of the heelchain type which would give proper elevation of the fuel up to around 35 of inclination, but it is to be understood that any suitable type of chain conveyor may be used. The angle or flow of fuel, such as coal, is somewhere between 30 and 40. With a sump or pit in the bottom of the fuel bin, not a great quantity of the fuel would remain in the bin when the apparatus is used, but if the bin has sloping walls and a sloping bottom, the bin could be completely emptied by the apparatus.

The troughs are to be formed of any suitable metallic material and each may consist of a plurality of sections suitably secured together.

It is to be understood that the driving means for the conveyor may be of any suitable construction, and what is illustrated is to be considered as an example. Also the motor may be supported in any suitable manner, other than what is shown. The driving mechanism may be of the automatic controlled type.

What I claim is:-

1. In a fuel feeding apparatus, an upper support disposed at an inclination to the horizontal, a lower horizontally disposed support, arranged below and in spaced relation to the lower terminal portion of the upper support, said lower support having a furcation at one end, upstanding means for connecting said supports together, a lower trough connected at one end with the lower face of said upper support and having its lower end seated on the base of said furcation, an upper trough for conducting fuel secured upon and extended from the lower end of said upper support, said troughs being disposed at an inclination corresponding to that of said upper support, open at their ends and tops and of V-shape in transverse cross section, the lower and the upper end of the upper trough providing respectively a fuel intake and outlet, the lower end of the upper trough being extended beyond the lower end of the lower trough, a driven endless conveyor travelling throughout on the bottoms of said troughs, said furcation forming a clearance for the lower run of-the conveyor, and an elongated sidewise flanged adjustable upper trough closure element slidably mounted on and adjustable lengthwise of the upper trough for regulating the size of the fuel intake.

2. In a fuel feeding apparatus, an upper sustained support disposed at an inclination to the horizontal, a horizontally disposed support arranged below and in spaced relation to the lower terminal portion of said upper support, means for connecting said supports together, a lower trough interposed between said supports, connected with the upper and supported on the lower support, an upper trough for conducting fuel secured upon and extended from the lower end of the upper support, said troughs being disposed at an inclination corresponding to that of said upper support and open at each end, the lower and the upper end of said upper trough providing respectively a fuel intake and outlet, said intake end of the upper trough being extended beyond the lower end of the lower trough, a driven endless conveyor travelling through and on the bottom of said troughs, said lower support being formed with a clearance for the lower run of said conveyor, and an elongated sidewise flanged adjustable upper trough closure element slidably mounted on the top of the sides and adjustable lengthwise of the upper trough and coacting with the latter for regulating the size of the fuel intake.

3. In a fuelfeeding apparatus, an upper sustained support disposed at an inclination to the horizontal, a horizontally disposed support arranged below and in spaced relation to the lower terminal portion of said upper support, means for connecting said supports together, a lower trough interposed between said supports, connected with the upper and supported on the lower support, an upper trough for conducting fuel secured upon and extended from the lower end of the upper support, said troughs being disposed at an inclination corresponding to that of said upper support and open at each end, the lower and the upper end of said upper trough providing respectively a fuel intake and outlet, said intake end of the upper trough being extended beyond the lower end of the lower trough, a driven endless conveyor travelling through and on the bottoms of said troughs, said lower support being formed with a clearance for the lower run of said conveyor, an elongated sidewise flanged adjustable upper trough closure element slidably mounted on the top of the sides and adjustable lengthwise of the upper trough and coacting with the latter for regulating the size of the fuel intake, the said lower support having one end abutting the lower face of the upper support in proximity to the lower ends of the latter, and said lower trough having its lower end positioned inwardly of the said end of the lower support.

4. In a fuel feeding apparatus, an upper sustained support disposed at an inclination to the horizontal, a horizontally disposed support arranged below and in spaced relation to the lower terminal portion of said upper support, a lower trough interposed between said supports, connected with the upper and supported on the lower support, an upper trough for conducting fuel secured upon and extended from the lower end of the upper support, said troughs being disposed at an inclination corresponding to that of said upper support and open at each end, the lower and the upper end of said upper trough providing respectively a fuel intake and outlet, said intake end of the upper trough being extended beyond the lower end of the lower trough, a driven endless conveyor travelling through and on the bottoms of said troughs, said lower support being formed with a clearance for the lower run of said conveyor, an elongated sidewise flanged adjustable upper trough closure element slidably mounted on the top of the sides and adjustable lengthwise of the upper trough and coacting with the latter for regulating the size of the fuel intake, and side cheeks connecting the lower terminal portion of the upper support to said lower support, said side cheeks depending from the forward terminal portion of the lower support.

LOUIS N. NADEAU. 

